The game apparatus is provided with the cylindrical portion rotating with the axis on the side face of the base portion of the master control lever. Two projecting parts are sticking out from the columnar surface of the cylindrical portion. In addition, two leaf switches are provided corresponding to the master control lever. The leaf switch is turned on when the projecting part contacts with the contact member of the leaf switch while the master control lever is rotating. In this way, operation of the master control lever is detected by using the leaf switches rather than rotary switches.
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1. A video game controller, comprising:
a lever having an axis portion operable to rotate around an axis line;
a rotating body adapted to rotate around the axis line with the axis portion, said rotating body having at least one projecting part; and
at least one switch arranged around said rotating body, said at least one switch having a first metal plate and a second metal plate, wherein a tip end portion of the first metal plate and a tip end of the second metal plate constitute contact portions of said switch, and a base end portion of the first metal plate and a base end portion of the second metal plate are secured in such a state that they are electrically insulated from each other, and said switch is arranged in such a manner that the contact portions of said switch contact each other only when the tip end portion of the first metal plate of said switch comes in contact with the projecting part of said rotating body.
5. A hand-operated video game controller, comprising:
a lever having an axis portion operable to rotate around an axis line;
a rotating body adapted to rotate around the axis line with the axis portion; and
a plurality of switches arranged around said rotating body,
wherein said rotating body is provided with a plurality of projecting parts,
wherein each of the projecting parts is operable to come in contact with any one of said plurality of switches in response to rotation of said rotating body, and
wherein the switch which the projecting part comes in contact with turns on,
wherein the projecting parts and said plurality of switches are arranged in such a manner that at least two switches are operable to be turned on at the same time and to be turned on separately depending on rotation of said rotating body,
wherein the at least two switches adjoin each other, and
wherein the hand-operated video game controller further comprises a processor operable to determine in accordance with a predetermined rule that one of the at least two switches is valid when the at least two switches turn on at the same time.
2. The video game controller as claimed in
3. The video game controller as claimed in
4. The video game controller as claimed in
6. The hand-operated video game controller as claimed in
7. The hand-operated video game controller as claimed in
wherein each of said plurality of switches comprises a first metal plate and a second metal plate, and wherein a tip end portion of the first metal plate and a tip end portion of the second metal plate constitute contact portions of the switch, and a base end portion of the first metal plate and a base end portion of the second metal plate are secured in such a way that they are electrically insulated from each other.
8. The hand-operated video game controller as claimed in
the contact portions of the switch contact each other when the contact member comes in contact with the projecting part, and
the projecting part is formed with curved corners.
9. The hand-operated video game controller as claimed in
10. The hand-operated video game controller as claimed in
11. The hand-operated video game controller as claimed in
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This application claims foreign priority based on Japanese Patent application No. 2004-118802, filed Apr. 14, 2004, the contents of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is related to a video game controller having an operation lever, and related arts thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
A controller used by connecting to a video game apparatus for playing a simulation game of driving a train is described in Japanese Utility Model No. 3050468. The controller is provided with a master control lever which can rotate within a vertical plane, and a brake lever which can rotate within a horizontal plane.
It is possible to control speed of a train displayed on a television monitor in a stepwise manner by operating the master control lever. In addition, it is possible to brake the train displayed on the television monitor in a stepwise manner by operating the brake lever.
Rotary switches which are switched according to the operation of the corresponding lever are attached, in the controller, respectively for the master control lever and the brake lever.
In this way, the operation of the lever is detected by the rotary switch.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a video game controller which can detect operation of a lever without using the rotary switch, and the related techniques thereof.
In accordance with the first aspect of the present invention, a video game controller comprises a lever which has an axis portion operable to rotate around an axis line; a rotating body which rotates around the axis line with the axis portion, the rotating body having at least one projecting part; and at least one switch arranged in a vertical direction of the axis line of the axis portion, the switch having a first metal plate and a second metal plate, wherein a tip end portion of the first metal plate and a tip end of the second metal plate constitute contact portions of the switch, and a base end portion of the first metal plate and a base end portion of the second metal plate are secured in a state that they are electrically insulated with each other, and the switch is arranged in a manner that the contact portions of the switch contact with each other only when the tip end portion of the first metal plate of the switch comes in contact with the projecting part of the rotating body.
In accordance with this configuration, the contact portions of the switch come into contact with each other since the switch constructed by the first metal plate and the second metal plate contact with the projecting part rotating with the axis of the lever. In this way, operation of the lever is detected in accordance with on/off information of the switch accompanying with the rotation of the lever without using a rotary switch.
In above video game controller, the first metal plate of the switch has a contact member attached to the tip end portion on an opposite side of the contact portion, the switch is arranged in a manner that the contact portions of the switch contact with each other only when the contact member of the switch come in contact with the projecting part of the rotating body, and the projecting part of the rotating body sticks out from the rotating body and is formed with curved corners. In this way, it is possible to unctuously turn the switch on and off.
In accordance with the second aspect of the present invention, a video game controller comprises a lever which has an axis portion operable to rotate around an axis line; a rotating body which rotates around the axis line with the axis portion, the rotating body having at least one projecting part which sticks out from a reference surface of the rotating body and has a prescribed height from the reference surface and a prescribed width in a rotation direction around the axis portion; and at least one switch arranged in a vertical direction of the axis line of the axis portion, the switch having a first metal plate and a second metal plate wherein a tip end portion of the first metal plate and a tip end portion of the second metal plate constitute contact portions of the switch, and a base end portion of the first metal plate and a base end portion of the second metal plate are secured in a state that they are electrically insulated with each other, and the prescribed height of the projecting part is higher than an interval between the contact portions of the switch.
In accordance with this configuration, the prescribed height of the projecting part is certain distance higher than an interval between the contact portions of the switch. Therefore, the contact portions of the switch come into contact with each other since the switch constructed by the first metal plate and the second metal plate contact with the projecting part rotating with the axis portion of the lever. In this way, operation of the lever can be detected in accordance with on/off information of the switch accompanying with the rotation of the lever without using a rotary switch. The prescribed height of the projecting part is the certain distance higher than the interval between the contact portions of the switch. Therefore, in case where the axis portion oscillates, it is possible to make the contact portions of the switch have contact with each other without fail.
In above video game controller, the first metal plate of the switch has a contact member attached to the tip end portion on an opposite side of the contact portion, the contact member contacts with the projection part of the rotating body, and the projecting part of the rotating body sticks out from the rotating body and is formed with curved corners. In accordance with this configuration, it is possible to unctuously turn the switch on and off.
The above video game controller can further comprise a processor which generates a video signal and an audio signal in accordance with a game program. In accordance with this configuration, since the video game controller include the processor, it is possible to reduce the cost and improve the convenience of the users as compared with the case where a game apparatus and a video game controller are separately provided.
The above video game controller can further comprise a microphone for inputting player's voice. In accordance with this configuration, it is possible to enhance game contents since the processor can perform process in response to microphone input.
The above video game controller can be provided with a plurality of switches, and the rotating body can provided with a plurality of projecting parts corresponding to the plurality of switches. In accordance with this configuration, it is possible to detect the operation of the lever in more detail.
In accordance with the third aspect of the present invention, a game apparatus which displays a scenery seen from a driver's seat of a running train on a television monitor, the game apparatus comprises a processor which generates and outputs a video signal and an audio signal to the television monitor in accordance with a game program; a lever which is arranged so as to be rotatable; and a switch which is pressed by a player and makes the processor perform a prescribed process, wherein the processor generates the video signal corresponding to a signal output in response to an operation of the lever.
The aforementioned and other features and objects of the present invention and the manner of attaining them will become more apparent and the invention itself will be best understood by reference to the following description of a preferred embodiment taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
In what follows, an embodiment of the present invention will be explained in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Meanwhile, like references indicate the same or functionally similar elements throughout the respective drawings, and therefore redundant explanation is not repeated.
The television monitor 100 is provided with a screen 103 on its front and an AV terminal 105 below the screen 103. An AV terminal 326 (to be explained later) of the game apparatus 1 is connected to the AV terminal 105 of the television monitor 100 by an AV cable 110. A direct current power voltage is applied to the game apparatus 1 by an AC adaptor 120. Alternatively, instead of using the AC adapter 120, the game apparatus 1 can be supplied with the direct current power voltage from a battery (not shown).
In addition, the game apparatus 1 is provided, around the center of the upper surface of the housing 2, with a light switch 7, a wiper switch 9, a door switch 11, an alarm whistle switch 13, a power switch 15 and a reset switch 17 for resetting a system. Furthermore, a microphone holder 23 is attached on the right side surface of the housing 2, and a microphone 19 is held by the microphone holder 23. The microphone 19 is provided with a microphone switch 21.
Before the microphone image 54 is displayed, a door image (not shown) is displayed at the same place as the microphone image 54. The door image is an image for indicating the player to press the door switch 11 to close a door of the train image 50. The door is closed by pressing the door switch 11.
Change of the color of the lighting indication portion 60 indicates the player to turn lights on. When the player presses the light switch 7, an image in which lights are illuminating the front is displayed. Change of the color of the microphone input indication portion 62 indicates the player to input voice. When the player presses the microphone switch 21 and inputs voice through the microphone 19, the input voice is output from speakers (not shown) of the television monitor 100. When the player presses the alarm whistle switch 13, alarm whistle sound is output from the speakers (not shown) of the television monitor 100.
Various messages are given to the player by displaying them in the message displaying portion 64. For example, a message such as “turn on the wipers” is displayed. If the player presses the wiper switch 9, an image in which wipers are moving is displayed.
Returning to
The brake lever 5 is used for putting brake on the train. In this embodiment, the brake is set to three phases. In the first phase (the brake lever 5 is set to backmost), the braking force is “0”. In the second phase (the brake lever 5 is rotated one phase from the position of the first phase), the braking force is “1”. In the third phase (the brake lever 5 is rotated one phase from the position of the second phase), the braking force is “2”. When the braking force is “0”, the braking force does not act on the train. The braking force “2” is stronger than the braking force “1”. The player can brake the train by operating the brake lever 5. After the player brakes the train, the train slows down and the scenery image 65 in response to the speed of the train is displayed on the screen 103. The braking force meter 58 of
The start point object 70 in the running screen indicates a departure point, and the end point object 72 indicates a destination point. The running location indicating object 74 is used for indicating a current location of the train. Incidentally, double track is displayed on the running screen. One is referred as the rail 66 and the other is referred as the rail 68.
The one end of the axis 208 is inserted to a hole of the collar 200 attached to the aperture 224 in the manner that the master control lever 3 can rotate. The other end of the axis 208 is inserted to a hole of the collar 202 attached to the aperture 226 in the manner that the master control lever 3 can rotate. The supporting member 210 is secured on the bottom portion of the supporting member 220. In this way, the master control lever 3 can rotate within a vertical plane. Incidentally, the collars 200 and 202 are attached to prevent resins (polycarbonate and ABS in this example) from being worn away caused from friction of resins. Therefore, the collars 200 and 202 are made of self-lubricating material.
A stopper 222 sticks out upwardly from the bottom portion of the supporting member 220. A function of the stopper 222 will be explained later. Holders 212 and 214 and bosses 216 and 218 are formed on inner side face of the supporting member 210. Leaf switches 206 and 204 are attached to the holding member 210 by the holders 212 and 214 and bosses 216 and 218. This will be explained in detail.
If the master control lever 3 is set within the range r1, both leaf switches 204 and 206 are turned off since both contact members 205 and 207 of the leaf switches 204 and 206 come in contact with the columnar surface of the cylindrical portion 250. In this case, since the stopper 222 of
In addition, it is possible to adjust an area of the range r4 of
The master control lever 3 has been explained accompanying with
As illustrated in
The high speed processor 300 includes various processors such as an arithmetic processor, a graphic processor, a sound processor and a DMA processor, and also includes an A/D converter for receiving an analog signal, an input and output control circuit which receives input signals such as switch operation signals and also outputs output signals to external devices (not shown).
The high speed processor 300 is provided with an inner memory (not shown). The inner memory serves as a temporary memory, a working memory, a counter, a register area (temporary data area) and/or a flag area. The ROM 302 is connected to the high speed processor 300 via the bus 304. A game program, image data and so on are stored in the ROM 302.
The high speed processor 300 performs various processing such as calculation, graphic process and sound process in accordance with the game program stored in the ROM 302 and generates a video signal VD and audio signals AL and AR. The video signal VD is an image signal for displaying a game screen (refer to
As illustrated in
In other words, when the leaf switch 204 is turned on, the input/output port IO0 becomes high level, and when the leaf switch 206 is turned on, the input/output port IO1 becomes high level. The high speed processor 300 judges whether the leaf switches 204 and 206 are turned on in accordance with values of the input/output ports IO0 and IO1, and then generates the video signal VD corresponding to the set propulsion.
As illustrated in
In other words, when the leaf switch 340 is turned on, the input/output port IO2 becomes high level, and when the leaf switch 342 is turned on, the input/output port IO3 becomes high level. The high speed processor 300 judges whether the leaf switches 340 and 342 are turned on in accordance with values of the input/output ports IO2 and IO3, and then generates the video signal VD corresponding to the set braking force.
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
One terminal of the microphone 19 is grounded, and the other terminal is connected to the power supply Vcc via the resistance element 346 and also connected to the voice amplifier 348. As illustrated in
When the microphone switch 21 is pressed, the input/output port IO8 becomes low level. Then, the high speed processor 300 turns the switch 316 of
On the other hand, when the microphone switch 21 is turned off, the input/output port IO8 becomes high level. Then, the high speed processor 300 turns the switch 316 of
As explained in
In above explanation, the leaf switches 204 and 206 are used for detecting operation of the master control lever 3. Alternatively, it is possible to use rubber switches 400 and 402 instead of the leaf switches 204 and 206.
In addition, an axis 412 is formed on the side face of the supporting member 210, and inserted to holes formed at base end portion of rods 408 and 410. The rods 408 and 410 can rotate around the axis 412. Incidentally, a screw 414 is used in order to prevent the rods 408 and 410 from dropping out.
When the master control lever 3 is set to within the range r3, both rubber switches 402 and 400 are turned on since both rod 410 and 408 are pushed by corresponding projecting parts 254 and 252. When the master control lever 3 is set to within the range (r4-r3), the rubber switch 400 is turned on since the rod 408 is pushed by the projecting part 252. On the other hand, the rubber switch 402 is turned off since the rod 410 contacts with the columnar surface of the cylindrical portion 250.
Generally, a rubber switch might not be able to recover its original shape and cause an inconvenience that an “on” state is maintained if the rubber switch is left pushed for a long period. Therefore, a leaf switch is favorable to be used rather than the rubber switch since the inconvenience like this does not happen in case of the leaf switch.
The mechanism described in
As has been discussed above, the contact members 205 and 207 of the leaf switch 204 and 206 are pushed by the projecting parts 254 and 252 which rotates with the axis 208 of the master control lever 3 so that the contact portions of each leaf switch 204 and 206 contact with each other. Therefore, it is possible to detect operation of the master control lever 3 in accordance with on/off information of the leaf switches 204 and 207 accompanying with the rotation of the master control lever 3. In this way, operation of the master control lever 3 is detected without using a rotary switch.
In this embodiment, the height “H” of the projecting parts 252 and 254 of the cylindrical portion 250 are higher than the interval “L0” between the contact portions of each leaf switch 206 and 204. Therefore, in case where the axis 208 oscillates, it is possible to make the contact portions of each leaf switch 206 and 204 contact with each other without fail.
In addition, the contact members 205 and 207 are attached on the tip end portions of the leaf switches 204 and 206, and the projecting parts 254 and 252 of the cylindrical portion 250 are formed with rotundate corners. In this way, it is possible to unctuously switch the leaf switches 204 and 206 on and off.
Furthermore, the game apparatus 1 is a video game controller having the processor 300 in this embodiment. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the cost and improve the convenience of the users as compared with the case where a game apparatus and a video game controller are separately provided.
In addition, the game apparatus 1 is provided with the microphone 19 for inputting player's voice in this embodiment. Therefore, it is possible to enhance game contents since the high speed processor 300 can perform process in response to microphone input.
Incidentally, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and a variety of variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, as described in the following exemplary modifications.
(1) In above description, two leaf switches 204 and 206 and two projecting parts 252 and 254 corresponding to two leaf switches 204 and 206 are used. However, the numbers of the leaf switches and the projecting parts are not limited thereto. It is possible to form more than three leaf switches and more than three projecting parts. It is possible to detect the operation of the master control lever 3 in more detail by increasing the numbers of the leaf switches and the projecting parts. Alternatively, it is possible to form only one leaf switch and one projecting part. These apply to a configuration using the rubber key as well.
(2) In above description, the direction of the tip end portion of the leaf switch 206 (in case of
(3) In above description, when the leaf switches 204 and 206 are turned off, the contact members 205 and 207 contact with the columnar surface of the cylindrical portion 250. However, the contact members 205 and 207 can be away from the columnar surface.
(4) In the example of
(5) Alternatively, it is possible to use a microswitch instead of the leaf switch and the rubber switch.
(6) While any appropriate processor can be used as the processor 300 of
The invention has been described in detail above based on the embodiment, but it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the embodiment described in the present application. The invention can be embodied in modified and changed modes without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Accordingly, the description of the invention is intended for purposes of illustration and is in no way intended to limit the invention.
Ueshima, Hiromu, Makioka, Koichi
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Executed on | Assignor | Assignee | Conveyance | Frame | Reel | Doc |
Apr 13 2005 | SSD Company Limited | (assignment on the face of the patent) | / | |||
May 20 2005 | UESHIMA, HIROMU | SSD Company Limited | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 016753 | /0994 | |
May 20 2005 | MAKIOKA, KOICHI | SSD Company Limited | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 016753 | /0994 |
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